Affecting 2% to 5% of the population, fibromyalgia has been identified as one of the most economically burdensome conditions.3-8 Patients often seek symptomatic relief from multiple medical and complementary and alternative treatments.9-12 Around 90% of individuals with fibromyalgia have used at least one form of complementary and alternative treatments to manage their symptoms 13, 14

A systematic review and meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT’s) evaluating the effectiveness of massage therapy for fibromyalgia showed massage therapy with duration ≥5 weeks had beneficial immediate effects on improving pain, anxiety, and depression in patients with fibromyalgia.

When treating Fibromyalgia it is important to understand the central sensitisation that occurs in this condition. The sympathetic nervous system is in a persistent state of high sensitivity; which results in the spinal cord and brain acting like a faulty amplifier that turns up the volume of any pain signals. Treatment that is too intense may trigger the warning system and make things worse. However, gentle massage, myofascial release, gentle stretching and acupressure can be very helpful.

The University Of Miami School of Medicine’s Touch Research Institute, has conducted various studies regarding the benefits of massage therapy. In a study geared to fibromyalgia patients, it was concluded that massage therapy provided the following benefits: increased serotonin level, decreased circulating stress hormones, decreased levels of substance P (a pain messenger), decreased tender point pain, improved sleep patterns, and improved overall sense of well-being. The principal investigators stated that massage therapy is a clinically significant complementary treatment for fibromyalgia. 15

]]>https://www.integratedhealthcareyork.com/massage-therapy-for-fibromyalgia/feed/0Acupuncture to support IVF or ICSI Treatmenthttps://www.integratedhealthcareyork.com/acupuncture-to-support-ivf-or-icsi-treatment/
https://www.integratedhealthcareyork.com/acupuncture-to-support-ivf-or-icsi-treatment/#respondThu, 31 Jan 2019 09:55:17 +0000http://www.integratedhealthcareyork.com/?p=1288A newly published review of evidence has found acupuncture to have a significant treatment effect in improving the birth rates of sub-fertile women undergoing IVF or ICSI. This comes as no surprise to us at York Clinic where three of our acupuncturists are founding members of the Yorkshire branch of the Acupuncture Conception to Childbirth Team (ACT Yorkshire) offering specialist treatment for fertility, pregnancy, childbirth and post-natal health.

A couple’s fertility depends
on many factors including constitution, age, lifestyle, diet and stress levels.
Acupuncture can be used whether or not there is a diagnosed reason for
infertility. Where there is no diagnosed reason, acupuncture aims to strengthen
both partners’ constitutions and create a harmonious environment for
conception. Acupuncture can also support all stages of assisted conception
(IUI, IVF, ICSI, IMSI and FET). It eases anxiety, helps with medication side
effects like nausea, and improves the chances of pregnancy.

In a case study recently
shared on The British Acupuncture Council’s website, Amy Ewing shares her
experience:

“I often look back and wonder how on earth I would have got through our IVF treatment without acupuncture and would our outcome have been the same? Suffering from sub-fertility all those years had made me feel lonely, broken, hurt. A failure. Acupuncture calmed, relaxed and re-energised me. “

A 2018 systematic review and meta-analysis found acupuncture to have a significant treatment effect in improving the birth rates of sub-fertile women undergoing IVF or ICSI. 1

In the UK, the overall birth rate following assisted reproduction is only 21% to 22% (fresh and frozen transfer). The birth rate varies and decreases with age and the type of transfer. Live birth rate can be considered the most important measure of success for sub-fertile people undergoing assisted reproductive treatment. Acupuncture has been shown to have a statistically significant treatment effect (with a 36% increase) on live birth rates, indicating that acupuncture may complement an IVF or ICSI cycle.

For more information contact one of the ACT Practitioners at York Clinic:

Because sometimes acupuncture treatments need to be timed carefully to complement treatments like IVF, Ali, Amanda and Harriet work together to ensure there is a practitioner here whenever she is needed. To make an appointment please telephone 01904 709688, or email email@yorkclinic.com. You could also use the contact page on our website.

]]>https://www.integratedhealthcareyork.com/acupuncture-to-support-ivf-or-icsi-treatment/feed/0Acupuncture to support IVF or ICSI Treatmenthttps://www.integratedhealthcareyork.com/acupuncture-to-support-ivf-or-icsi-treatment-2/
https://www.integratedhealthcareyork.com/acupuncture-to-support-ivf-or-icsi-treatment-2/#respondWed, 30 Jan 2019 11:30:44 +0000http://www.integratedhealthcareyork.com/?p=1286
]]>https://www.integratedhealthcareyork.com/acupuncture-to-support-ivf-or-icsi-treatment-2/feed/0When Just Sitting Down Can Leave Women in Agony: A story of chronic vulvar pain relieved by acupuncture. By Ali Longridgehttps://www.integratedhealthcareyork.com/when-just-sitting-down-can-leave-women-in-agony-a-story-of-chronic-vulvar-pain-relieved-by-acupuncture-by-ali-longridge/
https://www.integratedhealthcareyork.com/when-just-sitting-down-can-leave-women-in-agony-a-story-of-chronic-vulvar-pain-relieved-by-acupuncture-by-ali-longridge/#respondSat, 01 Dec 2018 12:12:00 +0000http://www.integratedhealthcareyork.com/?p=1274I was so delighted to see this story in the papers “It affects millions, but many are too embarrassed to seek help”.(1) It is about a young woman called Ruby who’s life was ruled by excruciating pain in her vulva when she sat down for longer than an hour. She describes her pain as “a burning in her seat area that would grow in intensity until it felt akin to being cut by shards of glass.” This is vulvodynia. A condition we hardly hear about, as it is difficult to talk about, and difficult too for GPs to diagnose; often mistaken for cystitis or thrush. Yet it affects 1 in 7 women, at some point in their lives (2).

Ruby was recommended acupuncture by the online UK forum Vulval Pain Society that one of my patients helped to found.

Ruby writes how empowering it is to discover you are not alone, and to gain understanding and insight into the treatment and care of vulvodynia. Treatments include anti-inflammatory medications, local anaesthetics and surgery, alongside avoiding irritants, pelvic floor physical therapy and acupuncture.

Although not offered to all women on the NHS, acupuncture is a good first treatment choice, because it is gentle, non-invasive and safe. Evidence it is effective for vulvodynia is also growing, and in 2015, after four successful pilot trials (3-6), an expert committee added acupuncture to the list of most promising treatment strategies (2) and a large study is now being funded by the US National Institute for Health.

My patients love how relaxing treatment is, and like Ruby, often experience other positive changes in health. “My symptoms started to reduce almost immediately. I also think acupuncture has helped to regulate my irregular periods, clear up my acne-prone skin, and even helped me have a child, after five miscarriages.”

Typically change is felt within the first and fourth acupuncture treatment, and we are often able to go on to clear all signs of inflammation and pain. However, in cases where there has been a significant trauma to the vulva, perhaps following childbirth, it may not be possible to completely address the pain; but by reducing the severity, women often feel better able to cope, and have the emotional resilience to better consider their options going forward.

Ali works at the York Clinic in York. If you’d like to find out more about acupuncture for vulvodynia, please do contact Ali Longridge (ali.longridge@icloud.com) via her confidential email address. Alternatively to book an appointment with Ali, please contact the York Clinic on01904 709688 or email York Clinic atemail@yorkclinic.com .

References:

(1) “It affects millions, buy many are too embarrassed to seek help…When just sitting down can leave women in agony.”Daily Mail, Good Health, Tuesday October 23rd, 2018

(2) Harlow BL and Stewart EJ (2003) A population based assessment of chronic unexplained vulvar pain: have we underestimated the prevalence of vulvodynia? J Am Meds Women Assoc 58:82

]]>https://www.integratedhealthcareyork.com/when-just-sitting-down-can-leave-women-in-agony-a-story-of-chronic-vulvar-pain-relieved-by-acupuncture-by-ali-longridge/feed/0Traditional Chinese Medicine – a holistic approach to optimising health.https://www.integratedhealthcareyork.com/traditional-chinese-medicine-a-holistic-approach-to-optimising-health/
https://www.integratedhealthcareyork.com/traditional-chinese-medicine-a-holistic-approach-to-optimising-health/#respondFri, 02 Nov 2018 11:17:02 +0000http://www.integratedhealthcareyork.com/?p=1269Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a holistic approach to optimising the health and wellness of an individual. Chinese herbal medicine, and Tui Na (traditional Chinese massage), can be used by themselves or alongside acupuncture to maximise well-being or recovery and as a long term strategy to prevent illness.

The basic theories of TCM include the concept of balancing Yin and Yang. When Yin and Yang forces are imbalanced, it can result in negative symptoms and disease so TCM works by addressing these imbalances and therefore treating the underlying cause rather just the symptoms. Qi is the name used to describe the life force which allows our bodies to function correctly. The treatments also aim to dislodge any blockages of Qi so that it can flow freely, allowing optimal health.

Chinese herbal medicine blends can be made from plant, mineral or animal substances. They can be taken as a tea, in pill form or applied to the body externally. Each patient is prescribed a blend to suit their specific needs. Research has shown Chinese herbs to be effective in treating influenza (1) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)(2), at preventing Type 2 diabetes(3) and more effective than aspirin at reducing the incidence of vascular events following a stroke(4). Many people combine western medical treatment with TCM (it’s important to tell your practitioners about treatments you are already undergoing). For people who suffer from conditions for which western medicine currently offers limited treatment, such as IBS, TCM can be especially useful.

Tui Na is a traditional Chinese massage which is both relaxing and invigorating. It works using acupressure points to maximise the flow of Qi and promote healing from within. It can instantly relieve muscle pain and tension providing relief from headaches, neck and shoulder pain and other injuries or discomfort. After a treatment patients may feel extremely relaxed, energised, clear-headed or euphoric. The massage can be done fully clothed.

Drs Tao Sun and Ying Sun work from York Clinic on Thursdays and they offer a range of traditional Chinese medicine treatments including acupuncture, herbal medicine and Tui na massage. They treat many complaints including nerve pain, muscle pain, sports injuries, headache, arthritis, neck, shoulder and pack pain. They use a combination of acupuncture and herbal medicine to treat infertility by improving the function of the womb. They have found it effective in treating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome /Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)(5), sciatic nerve pain and slipped discs in the spine are treated quicker when a combination of acupuncture and herbal medicine is used. Drs Sun have also had good results treating skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis using herbal medicine.

Amanda Preston works from the York Clinic on a Monday and Wednesday and uses Tui na massage and acupuncture to treat patients.

Book a consultation and they can talk with you about your needs and advise you on what combination of treatments will be most effective for you.

If you would like more information on Traditional Herbal Medicine, Acupuncture or Tui na please contact York Clinic or to book an appointment phone 01904 709688 between 9am and 6pm on weekdays, or between 9am and 2pm on Saturdays. Alternatively, email us at email@yorkclinic.com, or use our contact form. We will respond to you as quickly as possible.

There’s not many of us who can say we don’t get stressed from time to time, especially in our fast paced world. However, at times it can grow to become a particular problem and often this is the point at which people seek specialist psychological help. People can often sustain a high level of stress and a fast pace for a period of time and then, apparently all of a sudden, start to feel exhausted along with depression, anxiety, burn out, physically illness or that some extra small problem that is the straw that breaks the camel’s back and something has to change.

Each of us will have a different set of factors that influence our own particular reaction to stress. If you see a clinical psychologist, understanding this is part of making an individual psychological formulation, a map to help understand where things are getting stuck and what might need to change to ease distress. It will be developed in close collaboration with you, and should make intuitive sense as well as provide a solution.

Sometimes it is possible to make some simple life changes that can ease stress or start to reverse the vicious cycle of exhaustion. Basic cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) theory tells us it can be helpful to break it down into four components: (i) behaviour, (i) thoughts, (i) emotions and (i) body sensations.

Behaviour – Changing behaviour might include taking actions to lessen the effects of stress or it might mean making changes in life to remove or reduce the source of stress; This could be anything from not checking your smartphone first thing in the morning, reducing caffeine intake, improving ‘sleep hygiene’, seeking advice/mentorship to changing your job. You can use an activity record, to track both patterns and changes, many of which are available free of charge online.

Thoughts (cognitive) –Our evolution means that feeling stressed will tend to take our thoughts towards fear, for example tending to ‘catastrophise’. You can see a list of the ways fear will distort our thoughts here. I have yet to meet anyone who doesn’t recognise a good handful of these! If you think your thoughts might be out of perspective, you might talk it through with someone you trust to gain a different view. Or think about what you would advise someone you love if they were in your position. You might begin a gratitude journal to help move your thoughts to the positive. If you do so, you would be right on trend; even The Guardian newspaper is writing about it.

Emotions – Sometimes we can worsen a stressed feeling by trying not to feel it. Easier said than done, it’s true, but it can be helpful to allow feelings to be present and to use positive affirmation (e.g. ‘this too will pass’). Strangely you might find it actually eases the feelings! Much modern psychological understanding uses mindfulness to manage emotion, including one of the most recent incarnations of CBT called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (if you would like further reading try The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris). There are many apps that can guide you too, including Calm and Headspace.

Physical sensations – These can be strong and scary during periods of acute stress, from muscular tension, vision changes, racing heart to panicky breathlessness. You might think there is something physically wrong with you. This is entirely natural, because we are equipped to go quickly into our body’s emergency mode, also known as the fight or flight response. This is essential to our survival when there is an immediate danger (e.g. a physical attack) and it is less helpful (and makes less sense) when the stressful stimuli is of a more different nature (e.g. threat of job loss). Knowing your body’s response to stress can help, as well as activities such as physical exercise.

Seeing a professional such as a clinical psychologist can help you think about your stress reactions in an objective and private setting. In addition to the suggestions above, there may be patterns of beliefs or relationships you learned long ago that are getting in the way.

It is never too late to begin to make fundamental changes to your life and wellbeing.

Kirsty is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist and works at the York Clinic in York. If you’d like to find out more, please do contact Kirsty via her confidential email address – kennedys.kirsty@gmail.com . Alternatively to book an appointment with Kirsty, please contact Kirsty on 07954 996 360

I was inspired to write this blog after getting lovely data from my two most recent patients, Ben and Harry. I like these stories because, whilst the ideal length of time for treatment is weekly over 3 to 6 months – to cover the long development and maturation time of sperm cells – Ben only had 8 weeks and Harry 2.

And it was a delight to have pre-and post acupuncture sperm tests! Typically you are working blind, as you cannot see change week on week like you can with back pain, for example. It is a leap in the dark with your fingers crossed. Even if we know from research that just 5 to 10 weeks of treatment can make a positive difference, without a fabulous pregnancy or follow-up sperm analysis, how do you know it is enough treatment to make a big enough difference for this individual man? The joy of an ICSI cycle is you are not in the dark.

Ben’s Story: Ben and his wife were referred for IVF when two tests showed his counts to be low (10million and 18million). For the 2 months prior to their first ICSI cycle, he made changes to his diet, took a vitamin supplement, reduced his alcohol and exercised more: his count went up to 24 million and they created 3 blastocysts, with one returned, and an early loss. For the next 2 months, prior to their second ICSI cycle, Ben began weekly acupuncture – 8 treatments in all. After embryo transfer, Ben texted “you’ll be pleased to hear that my count was over double that of the previous cycle – 59 million – so acupuncture must have definitely helped! We managed to get 3 top quality blasts! With one returned and 2 in the freezer.”

If you have had a sperm test recently and discovered you have low counts, motility or morphology, you will probably have discovered that the primary cause is often the fact you have been alive for quite a while now, and are subject to the same stresses and strains as the rest of us (1,2,3). At a cellular level, this wear and tear is called oxidative stress, and it becomes more of a problem the older we get and the less vital our bodies become. It is what it is.

But health is a dynamic state, and whilst you cannot avoid getting older, you can choose to make changes that will slow or even reverse this decline.

Fertility Acupuncture has been shown to increase the delivery of nutrients, antioxidants and oxygen to the sperm-making cells.

Acupuncture does this by significantly improving testicular arterial blood flow (5); which is probably why studies carried out in different countries, have all concluded it improves motility and morphology (6-16). And why it can reduce high scrotal temperatures and clear genital tract inflammation to improve sperm counts (14). And why it can be as effective as surgery for varicoceles (a varicose vein in the scrotum), achieving equivalent improvements in counts, motility, morphology and pregnancy rates (17).

How? We think the improvement in circulation improves the testes ability to correctly create sperm (spermatogenesis), by providing the body with the nutrients needed to address the damaged microcirculation associated with poor sperm quality, varicoceles, and ageing.

Harry’s Story: Harry was encouraged to come for fertility acupuncture by a work colleague. He and his wife were in the midst of their 3rd ICSI cycle, giving us just two weeks to make a difference. Harry’s counts had been consistently low – 7 million, so his consultant had recommended a supplement high in vitamins C and E which he had been taking for the past few months. We managed to fit in just 3 sessions, with the aim of really invigorating circulation. His weak and cold low back shouted out that this was what was needed, and given he was a youthful 36 year old in otherwise good health, I hoped to get all his lovely dietary nutrients, antioxidant supplements and oxygen to the sperm making cells. For the first time, Harry and his wife Amy achieved 3 proper blastocysts of a good quality. His count went from 7 million to 11 million, with motility up from 30 to 60%. And that was all it took! Harry and Amy are now expecting…possibly twins!

Brilliantly designed studies involving hundreds and hundreds of men are needed for us to be completely sure acupuncture is a really useful treatment option. Until then we can pull together these inspiring small nuggets to get an idea of what might be achieved.

Fertility acupuncturists are inspired to continue their study and practice, because of the growing body of evidence that supports their work, and the real life changes they see in their clinic; the stories of patients who have good reason to believe, that acupuncture was key in bringing about positive changes to sperm quality, and their becoming a father.

Ali works at the York Clinic in York. If you’d like to find out more about fertility acupuncture, please do contact Ali Longridge (ali.longridge@icloud.com) via her confidential email address. Alternatively to book an appointment with Ali, please contact the York Clinic on01904 709688 or email York Clinic atemail@yorkclinic.com .

]]>https://www.integratedhealthcareyork.com/myths-about-sperm-quality/feed/0Breast cancer patients can benefit from acupuncture to reduce joint pain.https://www.integratedhealthcareyork.com/breast-cancer-patients-can-benefit-from-acupuncture-to-reduce-joint-pain/
https://www.integratedhealthcareyork.com/breast-cancer-patients-can-benefit-from-acupuncture-to-reduce-joint-pain/#respondWed, 20 Dec 2017 10:54:33 +0000http://www.integratedhealthcareyork.com/?p=1217Painful joints is a known side effect of a group of drugs called Aromatase inhibitors (AI) which are a common treatment for hormone sensitive breast cancers in post-menopausal women. Treating this pain effectively, without the use of other drugs or painkillers has been high on the priority list of cancer specialists for some time.

A recent study, which is the largest and most rigorous of its kind, found that acupuncture may significantly reduce the debilitating joint pain experienced by tens of thousands of women each year who are being treated for the early stages of breast cancer.

The Global cancer clinical trials network, led by the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) and funded by the National Cancer Institute, carried out a random and blind multicentre trial to establish whether acupuncture is effective in alleviating the pain caused by AI’s.

Dr Dawn Hershman, the lead researcher of the study and a SWOG vice chair “Some of my patients have difficulty getting out of a chair. As a result, with no good treatment options for their pain and stiffness, many women stop their cancer treatment. This is probably the most commonly cited reason breast cancer patients stop taking AI medication. So we need a solution – one that doesn’t include opioids or drugs that can be addictive or have serious side effects. We want women to continue their cancer treatment and have a good quality of life.”

Hershman and her team’s trial consisted of 226 patients from 11 cancer centres nationwide and patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups. One group received true acupuncture. Another received sham acupuncture; this is a method of superficially inserting needles in different, non-therapeutic locations on the body. Finally, another group received no treatment at all.

Patients got twice-weekly treatments for six weeks, then a weekly maintenance treatment for another six weeks. Patients reported on their pain before, during, and after treatment.

Results showed that, on average, patients experienced less pain when they received acupuncture compared with the sham and treatment-free arms. Patients experienced relief for 24 week.

If you would like more information on acupuncture or to book an appointment, please contact York Clinic or phone 01904 709688 between 9am and 6pm on weekdays, or between 9am and 2pm on Saturdays. Alternatively, email us at email@yorkclinic.com, or use our contact form. We will respond to you as quickly as possible.

“ATP(adenosine triphosphate) is quite literally the energy of life. It moves muscles, makes enzymes work, and powers nerve impulses…and it is the primary form of energy used by eggs. A growing egg needs a lot of ATP and has a lot of mitochondria. In fact, each egg has more than 15,000 mitochondria – over ten times more than any other cell in the body. (Van Blerkom 2011) The follicle cells surrounding the egg also contain many mitochondria and supply the egg with additional ATP (Shigenega et al 1994). But these mitochondria must be in good condition to make enough energy.”

Ali Longridge, acupuncturist at the York Clinic writes, “And acupuncture is about helping your ovaries take on board as much nourishment as possible to create super feisty little eggs. Eggs with the strength and determination to navigate their way down the fallopian tube, pick the best sperm, fertilise, and transform into equally feisty little embryos!”

We know that eggs from follicles with an optimum blood supply and oxygen content have higher fertilisation rates (Bahl et al 2001) and that as we get older, blood flow to our ovaries naturally declines (Van Blerkom et al 1997; Tejerra et al 2011), particularly if we have used the contraceptive pill to suspend function. Ali adds, “The joy is that there are things that acupuncture can do to recharge the mitochondria and help the egg mature with the correct number of chromosomes, fertilise beautifully, and implant successfully!”

“The first step is a brilliant nourishing diet that suits your constitution and provides the nutrients essential to life. But have you thought how you can better get these nutrients to your eggs?”

When we work to improve egg quality, the focus of fertility acupuncture is on increasing blood flow to the ovaries to promote the growth of new blood vessels; extending and improving the circulatory network, in a process called angiogenesis (Du et al 2011). This improved circulatory network from acupuncture is then able to flood the ovaries with those dietary nutrients and oxygen (Stener-Victorin et al 2011 & 1996), to create healthy mitochondria and an abundance of ATP.

Rebecca quotes fertility consultant Robert Casper:

“the ageing female reproductive system is like a forgotten flashlight on the top shelf of a closet. When you stumble across it a few years later and try to switch it on, it won’t work, not because there’s anything wrong with the flashlight, but because the batteries inside have died.”

To book an appointment with Ali, please contact the York Clinic on 01904 709688 or email York Clinic at email@yorkclinic.com . Alternatively if you’d like to find out more about fertility acupuncture please contact Ali Longridge on her confidential email account, ali.longridge@icloud.com

References

Rebecca Fett. It Starts with the Egg: how the science of egg quality can help you get pregnant naturally, prevent miscarriage and improve your odds in IVF. 2016 Franklin Fox Publishing, New York.

Van Blerkom J. Mitochondrial function in the human oocyte and embryo and their role in developmental competence. Mitochondrion. 2011 Sep;11(5):797-813

“I love treating pelvic pain during pregnancy, also known as symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD)”, writes Ali Longridge. “It can be like magic! Patients can arrive in pain and leave without it. Walk down the steps, climb into their car, walk down the street, and up the stairs…all with no pain! We pregnancy acupuncturists are so excited to get to treat pelvic pain, I was not surprised to learn it is a favourite with our Australian and New Zealand colleagues too (1). Much of what I do with my lovely little pins takes months and months, so it is sheer joy to ease intense, crippling pain in a matter of weeks. I’d like to say it doesn’t go to my head…but how can you not be ecstatically happy and a little bit proud of yourself when your treatment has taken away pain destined to shadow an otherwise lovely pregnancy?”

It is one of those conditions we often see in waves, as word-of-mouth from one pregnant mummy no longer hobbling about travels to another like lightening! And for good reasons. A review of treatments for low back and pelvic pain during pregnancy by the very respected Cochrane Collaboration found acupuncture to be effective, although evidence from larger studies is needed to be certain (2). And another review in a top obstetrics journal was firmly in favour of acupuncture (3). This is good news, especially when we consider how safe acupuncture is, even in pregnancy (4,5).

“Evidence from single studies suggests that acupuncture or craniosacral therapy improves pregnancy-related pelvic pain, and osteo-manipulative therapy or a multi-modal intervention (manual therapy, exercise and education) may also be of benefit.” Liddle and Pennick 2015.

“I tend to work together with our osteopath Terri Willmot”, Ali continues. “We find that alternating treatments brings about faster, longer lasting results. I will often see someone for two to three sessions with a focus on reducing inflammation and pain and improving the strength and elasticity of tissues, before referring to Terri, who is skilled at gently directing an incredibly dynamic and rapidly growing pregnant body towards a place of skeletal alignment and balance.”

Both Ali and Terri work at the York Clinic in York. If you’d like to find out more about pregnancy acupuncture or osteopathy, please do contact Ali Longridge (ali.longridge@icloud.com) and Terri Willmott (terriwillmott@hotmail.co.uk) via their confidential email addresses. Alternatively to book an appointment with Ali, please contact the York Clinic on01904 709688 or email York Clinic atemail@yorkclinic.com .